I've Run 4 World Major Marathons & These Are My Go-To Running Sneakers

After more than a dozen half marathons, countless 10k races, and four World Marathon Majors, you could say I know a thing or two about long-distance running shoes. Along with testing out way more brands and models than I can count, I've even had my feet professionally measured by experts for optimal sizing and tried custom sneakers personalized to my feet.

Despite all this, I always end up back in the very first shoe I ever raced in: the ASICS Gel Nimbus.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 sneakers are a neutral trainer designed for short or long runs. The upper is made from an engineered knit material that feels soft and breathable against your foot—and at least 75% of the shoe’s main upper material is made with recycled content. 

In the most recent iteration, the shoe’s tongue was updated to provide more flexibility around the foot. Plus, the sicklier is now made using a dyeing process that reduces water usage by about 33% and carbon emissions by about 45%.

We love these sustainability perks, but construction-wise, this shoe’s big claim to fame is its cushioned midsole. The brand recently added even more of its FF BLAST™ ECO PLUS cushioning, with a new PureGEL™ technology in the midsole as well.

This design creates a softer landing with less impact on the joints, which is helpful for mitigating injuries such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and ankle strain.

As noted in our final ratings above, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 sneakers hit it out of the park in terms of design and versatility. I love that I can wear them for outdoor road and trail runs, and also for treadmill runs. 

They even make great walking shoes! In fact, when I brought these with me abroad for the Berlin marathon, I bought a second pair specifically for walking. Other testers say they're also a great pick for people who are on their feet all day for work (and many nurses love them for this reason!).

On the topic of versatility, I love that these shoes are available in more than 20 colors—and I tend to keep a couple styles in my rotation.

And take it from someone who’s worn these for 20 mile runs in 85 degree weather, they’re incredibly breathable, with a surprisingly weightless feel considering the amount of cushioning ASICS uses.

While the ASICS Gel Nimbus fit all my needs as a distance runner with bunions, there are a few common qualms from other testers. I’ve personally found every new iteration of these sneakers to be as good (if not better) than the last, but some people complain that the sizing has changed over the years.

On that note, one major callout is that the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 sneakers are not available in wide sizes. They’re made in just one standard width, which can be frustrating for runners with wide feet—so while the toe box itself is spacious enough for those of us with bunions, the rest of the shoe does run more on the standard to narrow side. 

The Gel Nimbus 25 sneakers have been around for as long as I’ve been running (well over a decade)—and yet, with 25 iterations, they continue to get praise from runners of all levels and from people who spend a sufficient amount of time on their feet.

I've interviewed a lot of podiatrists—and I'm always excited to learn that my go-to running sneakers are expert-approved. Holistic podiatrist Robert Kornfeld, DPM, previously recommended the ASICS Gel Nimbus shoes for runners of all experience levels, noting that they’re great for those who need additional plush cushioning.

“They are very comfortable, stable and light in spite of the extra-cushioning,” Kornfeld explained.

Each person's foot shape is unique and everyone has their own stride, so our shoe needs are naturally going to be different. That said, these ASICS shoes have some excellent qualities that keep me (and thousands of other people) running back for more. Bonus: They're currently $40 off on Zappos, Amazon, and ASICS.